Classic route to Waxeneck shelter

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 19,36 km
Duration: 5:10 h
Ascent: 538 m elevation gain
Descent: 538 m elevation gain

The main town in the Triestingtal, the municipality of Berndorf, is nestled in the hills of the Triestingtal, surrounded by black pine forests. The town is known nationwide for its historical development, which is closely linked to the Krupp family. Traces of this period can be seen everywhere in the town. For example, the workers' housing estates, villas, schools and factory buildings bear witness to this period. A museum in Bahnstraße is therefore also dedicated to this era.

Starting point of the tour: Berndorf, Bahnhofstraße
Tour destination: Berndorf, Bahnhofstraße

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 19,36 km
Duration: 5:10 h
Ascent: 538 m elevation gain
Descent: 538 m elevation gain

Fitness level required:
3/6
Overall experience:
3/6
Scenery:
4/6

Lowest point310 m
Highest point767 m

Tour route
Nice views
With refreshment stops

Downloads

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Description

On this leisurely but relatively long hike, you start in the Berndorf area, at the train station, which also makes it possible to travel by public transport. At the beginning, the hike leads uphill through the town area and the Krupp housing estates to the Margarethen church and the school buildings, before reaching the water tower through new housing estates (you can also get here by car). Here you leave the urban area and hike on mostly good paths, often through black pine forests and beech forests and with a steady incline over 8 km to the highest point of the hike (768 m). From here, it is only a few meters downhill to the Waxeneckschutzhaus (which can also be reached by car from Hals), from whose terrace you can enjoy a beautiful view over the Gutenstein Alps as far as the Schneeberg during a refreshment stop. There is a children's playground for younger hikers. Although there are possible combinations, e.g. via the Heuschober and Geyergraben, the classic route is back along the ascent route to Berndorf, where you can pay a final visit to the town's sights (St. Margaret's Church, style classes, Krupp Museum).

Starting from the town, hikers have many varied hiking options to choose from, ranging from short, educational hikes (forest nature trail) to long, extended hikes (Waxeneck). However, a special highlight of any visit to Berndorf is always the ascent of the viewing tower on the Guglzipf with its panoramic views.

Equipment Normal hiking equipment
Route description From the station – there is a large white orientation board opposite – turn into Hernsteiner Straße, cross Neugasse and ascend after Brunntalgasse – here yellow signposts – on the ramp-like Kruppstraße up to Kruppplatz (monument). Cross the square straight ahead and continue on Kruppstraße to Margarethenkirche. Bypass this to the right (blue and yellow marking, white board) and turn right into Schubertstraße continuing to Wasserturmweg. Here the yellow marking separates from the blue marking (white boards). The yellow marking leads to Steinhof.Just after the water tower, turn right – marked in blue – onto a sandy road that leads along the water reservoir and the dog training area into the forest. Follow the blue marking further on a nice footpath, slightly uphill, through woods and under a high-voltage power line. On the way, you reach a crossroads where a red marked trail (Pöllau-Pottenstein) crosses. Here is a rest area. About 50 m further lies the Pöllinger Kreuz, then a white signboard guiding the way ahead. The path ascends slightly again, then narrows before at a rest bench the green marked trail from Pottenstein joins in. There is also a white board with handwritten walking times. Follow the blue marking further to a rest bench with a table. Here the blue marked path crosses towards Pöllau or Grabenweg. There follows a slightly steeper section at an altitude of 599 m. At a forest road junction, the red marked trail to the Alten Brunnen diverges diagonally left (yellow boards). A few minutes later, about 400 m on, a second path branches off toward Alten Brunnen and Steinhof. On this path, the Hallour cave can be reached in about 40 minutes (this would be an alternative for the return route via Steinhof to Berndorf). The path continues pleasantly to the “Josef-Koczirz-Rast”. Here, on the left, the green marked path goes to Geyersattel and Hohe Mandling. A wooden board points out the way ahead, you soon pass a clearing with a view of Heuschober and Schneeberg in the distance. Back in the forest, past the “Johann-Laister Memorial Cross”, straight over a crossing forest road and to a small hillock. Level and through a small hollow, finally ascending again, you reach a forest road junction where the yellow marking branches left to Geyersattel and Hohe Mandling (white signboard). Here keep right on the road, past some weekend houses, straight to the Waxeneck shelter of the Berndorf-Pottenstein Friends of Nature (viewing terrace, playground). After the break (open Thursday – Sunday and holidays, at the hut on the edge of the terrace by the parking lot there are drinks for self-service) choose the ascent route for the return. Alternatively, the comfortable route via Geyersattel to Steinhof and Berndorf is also possible if you want variety. Here you would also come back to the water tower or the station.
Parking Parking in Bahnhofstraße
Getting there A2 South Motorway exit Leobersdorf, on the Hainfelder Bundesstraße B 18 to Berndorf, turn right onto Hernsteinerstraße towards Hernstein, immediately after the railway turn left into Bahnhofstraße Public transport: to Berndorf station

Recommended period

Current weather on site

2° to 13°

Today, 12.03.2026

Fog

Wind speed3,1 km/h

2° to 17°

Tomorrow, 13.03.2026

Fog

Wind speed1,9 km/h

Wienerwald Tourism
3002 Purkersdorf, Hauptplatz 11
Tel. 02231/621 76
office@wienerwald.info
www.wienerwald.info

Leader Region Triestingtal
2560 Berndorf, Leobersdorfer Straße 42
Tel. 02672-87001
office@triestingtal.at
www.triestingtal.at

Letzte Änderung: 25 Feb 2026